Transnet Spokesperson, Mboniso Sigonyela, informed Transform SA Online that Transnet had signed a manufacturing pact with Chinese company CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive, in a ceremony witnessed by President Jacob Zuma and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Transnet CEO, Brian Molefe, and CSR chairperson and president, Zhou Qinghe, signed the memorandum of understanding. According to Sigonyela, terms of the agreement stipulate that Transnet and CSR will contribute their respective expertise and will leverage their unique expertise and experience and provide access to the know-how of their highly qualified and specialised business divisions.
The deal is a milestone in Transnet’s capacity development, as it covers several aspects captured in the national economic transformation agenda.
A research and development facility and manufacturing plants will be established in South Africa.
Skills transfer training has been catered for. This will be carried out through a training centre and a refurbishment and manufacturing facility.
It also includes a possibility of joint ventures involving Transnet and local businesses.